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Knight Moves

     In another part of the city, a modest sized man, with a humble demeanor, stroked back his black jumpsuit and punched a code into a small hand computer. A moment later, a raspy voice emanated from the speaker of the tiny instrument and invited the mysterious man into the huge Catholic Church. The man’s name was simply Vanguard. He was a specially trained Knight Templar sent to meet with the head of an equally mysterious cult: the Agent Priests. Agent Priests were the Catholic Church’s equivalent to China’s Shaolin monks, like the monks of the Far East, these American Agents were warrior priest with strict religious values.

     Vanguard had heard tales of their most tantalizing members and sharing a similar belief, he was anxious to learn more about the enigmatic Catholic cult. Upon entering the church, Vanguard was brought to the third floor of the church, which overlooked the beautiful scenery of Lake Michigan. There, standing still and seemingly meditating on the open balcony, Cardinal Hazard prompted Vanguard to take a place next to him. He then spoke in a rather disappointing manner.

     "Hmmm, I asked the Knights Templar – your illustrious order, to send Jack Shackleton. I was very specific about this!" Said the old Cardinal sternly.

     "Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, Cardinal, but Jack Shackleton is on an important mission in Asia. The enclave decided it was best to send me in his place." Said Vanguard flatly.

     "Really? I find that strange. Isn’t Shackleton your most powerful Knight? He’s the son of ‘Saint X’, is he not?"

     "Yes, but I was his third apprentice – I learned much from him, and to be quite frank with you, I’m confident that I could handle any request that our order may have in collaborating with you Catholics." Replied Vanguard.

     "I certainly hope so…this mission is like no other before it!" Said the Cardinal with steely eyes. "I am sworn to secrecy on this and from this point on, so are you – do you understand?"

     Vanguard just nodded in agreement with the elder priest.

     "Good – I want to ask you a few questions; they may sound…strange, but they’re important. I hope you answer them honestly." Said Hazard.

     "I’ll do my best."

      "Let’s begin then. Are you familiar with an aged actor – a man that was paralyzed in a horse ridding accident? His name was Christopher Reeve and he was a good man – a man that dedicated his last years of life in gaining political and medical rights for victims of paralysis."

     "I think I remember that guy. I was just a kid then, but I think he played Superman in those old films, right?"

     "Yes," said Cardinal Hazard. "Anyway, before he died, he almost got clearance for a new vaccine of sorts. It’s a very controversial concoction. The vaccine somehow combined the stem cell materiel from allocated brain cells and mutated them with Staph-bacterium.

     "Staph-bacterium – What’s that?" Asked the curious knight.

     After a laugh, Cardinal Hazard had to admit just what the stuff was, since a more ‘politically correct’ name escaped his mind.

     "Well, my boy – that’s what makes it so controversial. Staph-bacterium is also known as ‘flesh-eating’ bacteria. The inclusion of both regenerative stem cells and the flesh-eating bacteria make this proposed vaccine, or should I say pathogen, extremely controversial – I think you understand now, right?" Replied Hazard.

     Vanguard stroked his thick black hair as he thought about the odd concoction.

     "Yes…I understand. It must have been very controversial back then, but it’s probably illegal by this time’s standards. I mean the CDC has so much control over all things medical that brewing something as vital as a new vaccine would surely ruffle their feathers."

     "That’s right, my boy. This is why we must keep things quiet. I’d like to show you a few things as we walk."

     "Where are we walking to?" Asked Vanguard cautiously.

     "No where far. Just to a subbasement of this grand facility. You see we have a rather secret lab downstairs – behind the old foundation, that is. Take a look at this document and tell me how you feel about it."

     Vanguard took a laminated document from the Cardinal and glanced over it as they walked downstairs.

     "This can’t be what I think is, right?" Replied Vanguard in subtle shock.

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